Hours would pass before Kasia Pawka, her husband, Jacek and their daughters Marta and Ula could breakfast on the culinary treasures that filled the woven reed basket sitting tucked between them on a pew in Lakewood’s St. Mary of the Lake Church.More ...Tuesday, April 23, 2019

Churches across the Diocese assumed the look of a starry night during Easter Vigil Masses April 20 as candles held by thousands of faithful shone in the dark.

“This is the night,” faithful in Trenton’s nearly filled St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral heard as the “Exsultet,” or Easter Proclamation, was chanted. Only moments before, Bishop David O’Connell, C.M., had lit and blessed a new fire from which the newly marked Paschal candle, symbolizing Christ, the Light of the World, would process down the aisle, lighting parishioners’ candles along the way.

ROME – As the machine of warfare continues to churn out more dangerous weaponry, only the power and joy of Christ's resurrection can fill hearts with comfort and peace, Pope Francis said before giving his Easter blessing.More ...Sunday, April 21, 2019

VATICAN CITY – As individuals and as a Church, it can be tempting to dwell on mistakes, failures and sins that block the fullness of life, but Easter is the proclamation that the Lord is victorious and his love will triumph, Pope Francis said.

"Easter is the feast of tombstones taken away, rocks rolled aside," the Pope said in his homily April 20 during the Easter Vigil.More ...Saturday, April 20, 2019

Following the Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion April 19 in Holy Cross Church, Trenton, Maritza Williams said she gained a new perspective on the meaning of the Cross from Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M.More ...Friday, April 19, 2019

Moans and wails drowned out passing traffic on Good Friday as parishioners portraying witnesses to Christ’s Crucifixion followed their “savior” as he carried his Cross to his Death.More ...Friday, April 19, 2019

The way Debbie Roble of St. David the King Parish, Princeton Junction, sees it, Holy Thursday begins the three days of what she calls the “Super Bowl” of the Church’s liturgical year and this year, she was very pleased that her parish was able to welcome the “best quarterback there is” to celebrate the Mass of the Lord’s Supper – Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M.More ...Friday, April 19, 2019

ROME – Jesus' gesture of washing his disciples' feet, an act once reserved to servants and slaves, is one that all Christians, especially bishops, must imitate, Pope Francis told hundreds of inmates and prison employees on Holy Thursday.More ...Friday, April 19, 2019

VATICAN CITY – Just as Jesus always sought to be with the people to serve, teach and heal them, so, too, must priests always be in the midst of God's people, "pouring ourselves out" for them, Pope Francis said.More ...Thursday, April 18, 2019

Angela La Manna was looking to gain a broadened sense of awareness of Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice and Resurrection as she participated in a program on the subject ahead of Holy Week and Easter.

“Having Father [Gadenz] come here to explain it in adult terms,” she said, reinforced with depth and clarity the “amazing fact that from the Cross, [Jesus] didn’t condemn anyone but instead offered humanity a blanket forgiveness that extends throughout time.”More ...Wednesday, April 17, 2019

Fran Thompson was exuberant as she described witnessing for the first time the sacred traditions of the annual Chrism Mass.

“It was nothing like what I expected. It was just beautiful. You have to see it to believe it. You have to experience it,” the St. Mary Parish, Barnegat, parishioner said. “I’m bringing my husband next year.”